Phillips Inducted Into Liberty Ring Of Honor
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Liberty’s winning streak was stopped short, as they lost to the Minnesota Lynx 83-71 last Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center.
The Liberty played better in the first half of the game, as the Lynx intensified their play in the third quarter. New York increased their efforts in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Lynx.
“It is the tail of the second half for us where we get stagnant,” said guard Natasha Cloud. “They ran the ball back down at us in transition defense. We didn’t get back, we didn’t stop the ball early and then we just kind of got to go on our own island.”
The top two WNBA teams, in the race for the playoffs, were tied at the end of the first quarter. New York pushed and was ahead of Minnesota 38-36 by halftime, as Cloud and Isabelle Harrison led the Liberty with 9 points each. Cloud led New York with 14 total points in the game. Kayla McBride led Minnesota with 18 total points.
“I think we had a good first half where we competed, we played defense, we got back, we moved the ball side to side, and then it is the tail of the second half for us where we get stagnant,” Cloud said.
The Liberty were outscored 30-19 by the Lynx in the third quarter alone and 17-14 in the fourth quarter. They had seven turnovers in the first half of the game and 13 turnovers in the second half. Minnesota had eight in the first half of the game and three in the second half.
The Liberty face the Lynx again on Saturday in Minnesota. New York Head Coach Sandy Brondello said she hopes to tidy up things regarding turnovers before playing the Lynx again. “Really it just comes with our mindset and our effort and our togetherness,” she said. “We’ve got to do that. We have to face adversity. We can’t let a team come in and play harder than us on our home court.”
The Liberty face the Lynx for the fourth and final time during the regular season August 19th when they return home from their 3-game road trip.
Additionally, WNBA All-Star Tari Phillips was inducted into the New York Liberty’s Ring of Honor for helping to lead the team to two Eastern Conference titles and WNBA Finals appearances in 2000 and 2002. Other New York Liberty legends were also present and acknowledged for their past contributions.
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